Billy Wagner was supposed to set the market for closers this offseason, and B.J. Ryan was expected to fall in line behind him.

One problem, though: Toronto and Ryan didn’t play along with the script many observers expected, instead setting a record with a five-year, $47 million contract that was agreed to Friday night.

Ryan received the largest deal ever given to a reliever, but that record may not last long.

Wagner’s agent, Bean Stringfellow, has countered the Mets’ initial offer to his client. Stringfellow said the Ryan signing “reinforces” the belief there’s an “extremely strong market” for closers.

In an offseason where set-up men Scott Eyre and Bob Howry received three-year deals, it’s not a stretch to believe Wagner, the market’s premier closer, could sign a five-year deal somewhere.

Stringfellow refused to comment on negotiations, but his leverage has improved. The agent reported that “a couple” of teams that lost out on Ryan contacted him yesterday.

Asked if his client now deems a five-year deal a must, Stringfellow refused to speculate on what his camp is looking for.

A few days ago, the Mets offered 34-year-old Wagner a three-year contract worth slightly over $30 million, with a vesting option for a fourth season worth $10 million. Now the Mets may have to at least guarantee a fourth year and spend more than the $44 million they’ve allocated.

Even though Wagner is a more established closer than Ryan, he also is about 4½ years older. So the Mets have serious misgivings about giving Wagner a similar five-year contract.

The Phillies on Wednesday improved their offer, which Stringfellow characterized as “very competitive” with the Mets’ offer. Mets GM Omar Minaya left a message for Stringfellow on Friday night, and Stringfellow left a return message yesterday. He said he was hoping to speak with Minaya by the end of the weekend.

The Mets were caught by surprise by the events, but weren’t overly concerned because their current offer to Wagner is still better on an average-annual-value basis than what Ryan received.

Wagner isn’t expected to make a decision until he returns from a vacation scheduled from Dec. 1-6.

Trevor Hoffman, 38, and Tom Gordon, 36, are other established relievers in whom the Mets have interest. They are older than Wagner, and Mets officials have no clear preference between the two. That in itself is telling.

Kyle Farnsworth, 29, also is available.

None of the closers will come cheap. Hoffman reportedly cleaned out his locker in San Diego after the Padres offered him a two-year deal worth $10 million. He reportedly expects $10 million per year.

Yankees set-up man Gordon reportedly is looking for a three-year deal worth more than the $15.5 million Ryan Dempster received from the Cubs.

For the time being, they have cooled on the idea of signing Rafael Furcal as a second baseman. The Mets still have some interest in Mark Grudzielanek, but he is being pursued by four other teams and already has received an offer from Kansas City.